Josh Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Has anyone had any experience with them at all? I've heard and seen many examples of he 535 in action and I've always been impressed, and also I've been one for how they look as well. I'm just curious to see if any of you guys have had a run in with the said bass and if in the flesh, are they worth the hype? As I'm in a position to get the one I've seen at The Gallery: And I'm a bit baffle don how to order from that site as well. Thanks all, Josh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Hi Josh, I've owned an MTD Kingston, but i've also played Ari's 535's, all of which were great instruments. I found the, a bit ergonomically challenging, they're quite big basses, large spacing and large necks...but i still enjoyed playing them. The tones you can get are pretty awesome too. I'd strongly suggest trying one before you buy one though. If you can check out that one at the gallery, it'd be worth doing so...better losing a day than all that money on a bass you don't love!!! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwilym Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 [quote name='Josh' post='228925' date='Jun 29 2008, 11:16 AM']Has anyone had any experience with them at all? I've heard and seen many examples of he 535 in action and I've always been impressed, and also I've been one for how they look as well. I'm just curious to see if any of you guys have had a run in with the said bass and if in the flesh, are they worth the hype? As I'm in a position to get the one I've seen at The Gallery: And I'm a bit baffle don how to order from that site as well. Thanks all, Josh.[/quote] hi Josh, if you're interested in the MTD at the Gallery, then give Alex a call about it, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out. i've played a few MTD's, most of them were owned by Ari, and they can sound quite different depending on the woods used IMO. I guess I was suitably impressed to fork out and buy one! Mine is a wenge neck and f/b, poplar body, maple burl top. The sound is even, articulate and clear, and you can eq in wide range of tones, in fact maybe too wide range - you've got to be carefull not to overdo it. If anything it can sound a bit sterile at low volumes, but when I've gigged it, it just sounds awesome. The only other thing I found it took a while to get used to was the higher string tension due to the 35" scale, as I didn't change the gauge of the strings I am using. The MTD has definitely grown on me - very much like the Sadowsky Tokyo I used to own - because it wasn't until I played them live that I really realised what the fuss was about. I won't be selling my MTD thats for certain! Cheers G Oh and heres some gratuitous porno... (picture courtesy of [url="http://www.thegrooveshoppe.com"]The Groove Shoppe[/url], where I bought it) [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gwilym/MTD/535.jpg"][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bassjamm' post='228974' date='Jun 29 2008, 12:46 PM']Hi Josh, I've owned an MTD Kingston, but i've also played Ari's 535's, all of which were great instruments. I found the, a bit ergonomically challenging, they're quite big basses, large spacing and large necks...but i still enjoyed playing them. The tones you can get are pretty awesome too. I'd strongly suggest trying one before you buy one though. If you can check out that one at the gallery, it'd be worth doing so...better losing a day than all that money on a bass you don't love!!! J[/quote] Unfortunatley for me, buying blind is the only way I can get stuff from places past Somerset, as I've got no chance in hell of getting there and back. And I'd love to be able to try a few other basses out, basically I've got enough money to buy anything on that site right now, and my Thumb is starting to grow stale, and the 535 just seems to really appeal to me, both athestically and tonally. And also I'm one of those players that's always been jumping from bass to another, all varying in different sizes and scales, and luckily for each one I've managed to adapt so as far the ergonomics go, I should be ok. [quote]i Josh, if you're interested in the MTD at the Gallery, then give Alex a call about it, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out. i've played a few MTD's, most of them were owned by Ari, and they can sound quite different depending on the woods used IMO. I guess I was suitably impressed to fork out and buy one! Mine is a wenge neck and f/b, poplar body, maple burl top. The sound is even, articulate and clear, and you can eq in wide range of tones, in fact maybe too wide range - you've got to be carefull not to overdo it. If anything it can sound a bit sterile at low volumes, but when I've gigged it, it just sounds awesome. The only other thing I found it took a while to get used to was the higher string tension due to the 35" scale, as I didn't change the gauge of the strings I am using. The MTD has definitely grown on me - very much like the Sadowsky Tokyo I used to own - because it wasn't until I played them live that I really realised what the fuss was about. I won't be selling my MTD thats for certain! Cheers G Oh and heres some gratuitous porno... (picture courtesy of The Groove Shoppe, where I bought it) [/quote] Georgous!! If all goes to plan, the string tension shouldnt be too much of a problem. Due to lately, I've been playing a full step down exclusively, and hopefuly that would give me a more than playable tension. It works for Andrew Gouche Mind if I ask how it sounded sterile? Edited June 29, 2008 by Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 If you can afford it, go for it! You might interested to know that those custom pickups that Mike gets from Tobias are two split coils house in a soapbar case! Just an interesting tidbit, I thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Well if you have money to burn that's fair enough...still i'd be cautious. They are great basses though, but i don't think they're for everyone. One other thing i'd consider, as you said you like to chop and change...resale may prove interesting. Just a thought...but if you like it, go for it!!! Incidently...that Mike Lull that they have in at the Gallery is pretty nice, way overpriced, but very nice...i know of one available in your region if you're interested. Pm me if so. Ari's 535's cdefinately had tone though...as Gwilym said, sometimes the pre-amp can offer you too much tone, so proceed with caution, but fiddle away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='229393' date='Jun 30 2008, 12:04 AM']Well if you have money to burn that's fair enough...still i'd be cautious. They are great basses though, but i don't think they're for everyone. One other thing i'd consider, as you said you like to chop and change...resale may prove interesting. Just a thought...but if you like it, go for it!!! Incidently...that Mike Lull that they have in at the Gallery is pretty nice, way overpriced, but very nice...i know of one available in your region if you're interested. Pm me if so. Ari's 535's cdefinately had tone though...as Gwilym said, sometimes the pre-amp can offer you too much tone, so proceed with caution, but fiddle away [/quote] I wouldn't say I've got money to burn, just that I've been saving for a good few months to get the basses I've wanted for a long time and also for BIMM, I've got enough money to get both a Warwick Thumb NT and Streamer Stage 2 and to also have more than enough left to get a high end 5 string. Good thing is if I do decide to go for it and it's not for me then I know I'll have a bass which will generate alot of interest so from that I may find something else more to my liking, but I've got a good feeling the MTD might be for me. Hmmm a bass that can offer too much tone, I've always had the opposite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Why not just get 1 awesome beast...like a Fodera hehe!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='229433' date='Jun 30 2008, 02:00 AM']Why not just get 1 awesome beast...like a Fodera hehe!!![/quote] That thought has crossed my mind, it would have to be the right one, no Monarchs, but very maybe a Emperor or Emperor 2, I'd be champing at the bit if this one hadn't sold: Though from reading in recent threads regarding Fodera, they do seem to be way over-priced and not exactly living up to the hype, but ah well I'd have to play one for myself. I just wish there was a UK retailer with more stock of MTD and Fodera and other higher end brands like Ken Smith, and thus is also another reason why I'm really considering the 535, due to them not being all that common, it would probally be a long time before I saw one at a good price again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 If you're going to spend £2K on a bass, what's a £50 ticket to London in the grand scheme of things? Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Toasted' post='229515' date='Jun 30 2008, 10:07 AM']If you're going to spend £2K on a bass, what's a £50 ticket to London in the grand scheme of things? Joe.[/quote] Funnily enough, in the last day the possibility of going to the gallery has become more realisitic so I may hopefully be able to try a handful of basses and be able to walk out with a few Edited June 30, 2008 by Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='229433' date='Jun 30 2008, 02:00 AM']Why not just get 1 awesome beast...like a Fodera hehe!!![/quote] Or have an Overwater or ACG built?? I rate MTD's, I have a Kingston Heir that has just had a Bart pre-amp installed and it is an awesome beast. I am with Jamie on the ergonomics though. When switching from the MTD to either my Jazz or Marvin, you realise that it takes more effort to play. Mike Tobias is great with his Customer Service as well and generally answers any questions himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) [quote name='BassBunny' post='229572' date='Jun 30 2008, 11:31 AM']Or have an Overwater or ACG built?? I rate MTD's, I have a Kingston Heir that has just had a Bart pre-amp installed and it is an awesome beast. I am with Jamie on the ergonomics though. When switching from the MTD to either my Jazz or Marvin, you realise that it takes more effort to play. Mike Tobias is great with his Customer Service as well and generally answers any questions himself.[/quote] I'm not one for customs, all of the custom makes of basses we've got on here do absoloutley nothing for me, not in a bad way and I 100% respect the craftsmanship and the hard work, but it's just each Shuker/Overwater/ACG/RIM etc... I've seen have never made me want one, Sei's...a little, but I just don't have the paitence for one and I'm just happy to have a great of the self bass which has been well put together, that looks good and makes the sounds I want . I know such high calibre basses like MTD, Fodera, Sadowsky NYC are custom to a point, but at least for the price tag, I know the time has been taken to make them the best they can. 3 (Or more) months waiting for a bass?? I end up so frustated I'd probally read the bible and not laugh out loud . Edited June 30, 2008 by Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='Josh' post='229587' date='Jun 30 2008, 11:47 AM']I'm not one for customs, all of the custom makes of basses we've got on here do absoloutley nothing for me, not in a bad way and I 100% respect the craftsmanship and the hard work, but it's just each Shuker/Overwater/ACG/RIM etc... I've seen have never made me want one, Sei's...a little, but I just don't have the paitence for one and I'm just happy to have a great of the self bass which has been well put together, that looks good and makes the sounds I want . I know such high calibre basses like MTD, Fodera, Sadowsky NYC are custom to a point, but at least for the price tag, I know the time has been taken to make them the best they can. 3 (Or more) months waiting for a bass?? I end up so frustated I'd probally read the bible and not laugh out loud .[/quote] I know what you mean and I guess it is each to his own. If we all liked the same Bass, it would be a pretty boring world. I am very lucky in having almost the perfect bass FOR ME, but there are areas that can be improved upon, (very few) and the only answer is to have one made. I have had to buy and sell a number of Basses to get to the point where I can now say, "This is it" as long as you can change a & b. I am damnn sure my ideal would not be everyone elses. I would really try and get to London and sample the MTD. Not everyone who has tried mine likes it and for the same reasons Jamie has highlighted. Good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Oh, and for the record - Ari's 535 was the level best 5 string I've ever played with a Sadowsky 5 I played in NYC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='Josh' post='229508' date='Jun 30 2008, 09:59 AM']That thought has crossed my mind, it would have to be the right one, no Monarchs, but very maybe a Emperor or Emperor 2, I'd be champing at the bit if this one hadn't sold: Though from reading in recent threads regarding Fodera, they do seem to be way over-priced and not exactly living up to the hype, but ah well I'd have to play one for myself. I just wish there was a UK retailer with more stock of MTD and Fodera and other higher end brands like Ken Smith, and thus is also another reason why I'm really considering the 535, due to them not being all that common, it would probally be a long time before I saw one at a good price again.[/quote] That's been sold for a long time. That's flat out the best bass I've ever played. But then it'd have to be at that price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB26354 Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Funny, I played that same Fodera and thought it was very average. B string was nothing special too, even with the string going to the tuner at the end of the headstock. Wire-wool marks all over the body when you held it up to the light too. The 535 in the Gallery is mahogany with a spalted maple top. It is very lightweight, well-balanced, with a crisp, modern tone. I guess it would sound good with modern techniques but a p-bass it is not - but then you don't buy something like an MTD to get a Fender The Lull is also very very nice for a similar price - they've got quite a few different 5's in so I'd recommend the OP go and try them head-to-head. You may find something else you like even more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 What ya waiting for?? Get on the train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 As XB26354 said...that Lull is lush. But i would not pay 2k for it, there's a passive 5 string one in the UK for £1300 brand new. Ok it's not go the fancy top and eq, but even so, 2k for that Lull is excessive! Lull's are up there for me though with Fender copies! Josh...what kind of sound are you after? At the moment it just seems like we're firing off loads of different suggestions at you, but you could probably narrow things down if you had a few ideas in place? I totally understand about the whole custom build thing. I'd consider one now, but that's because i've got a good idea as to what i want. I'm totally contradicting myself here...but you must consider Marleaux's mate! The M-Bass that was up on here recently is still available through Overwater if you fancy it. And as for Fodera's...there's plenty about overseas, and on their Website...they have some used one's in stock as well as a load of NYC models!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='230082' date='Jun 30 2008, 09:36 PM']As XB26354 said...that Lull is lush. But i would not pay 2k for it, there's a passive 5 string one in the UK for £1300 brand new. Ok it's not go the fancy top and eq, but even so, 2k for that Lull is excessive! Lull's are up there for me though with Fender copies! Josh...what kind of sound are you after? At the moment it just seems like we're firing off loads of different suggestions at you, but you could probably narrow things down if you had a few ideas in place? I totally understand about the whole custom build thing. I'd consider one now, but that's because i've got a good idea as to what i want. I'm totally contradicting myself here...but you must consider Marleaux's mate! The M-Bass that was up on here recently is still available through Overwater if you fancy it. And as for Fodera's...there's plenty about overseas, and on their Website...they have some used one's in stock as well as a load of NYC models!!![/quote] The sound I'm after is really that modern sounding growl and bark, but not necessarily from a jazz, Ken Smith's higher end basses for example is the tone I've heard MTD emulate, and with my Eden rig I know I'll have a huge mid-range to play with but also to sound very Hi-Fi which is what my Eden is best for. Basically the 2 Warwicks will keep one side of my growl gas at bay, and hopefully the MTD will satisfy my growl needs all around. If I were ever to go custom at some point, it would be a Warwick, but it wouldn't be much more than a mild adapation of an off the shelf "Wick, but really I have no real reason to go custom, the current market has basses I'd like to try and own and I've got years to figure out what is 100% right for me. I've never really been blown away by Marleaux's I'm afraid man, their much more of an aqquired taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 (edited) I'm so glad I bought this bass!! It is exactly what I'm after, and in the flesh it's even more stunning, the picture on The Gallerys site didn't show how figured the body is, and it's also spalted! The tones are wide and varied, and just the feel and the craftsmanship of it really is amazing, it is hands down, the finest bass I've ever owned or had the pleasure of playing!..........I want another one :brow: Have a looksie: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=23969"]535[/url] My advice.........get one!! Edited July 21, 2008 by Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Lovely looking bass, Josh! Nice Black Beauty as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwilym Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 [quote name='Josh' post='229088' date='Jun 29 2008, 04:32 PM']Mind if I ask how it sounded sterile?[/quote] hi Josh, what I meant was that I don't think it's a "bedroom" bass. In my experience, some gear sounds fanstastic at home, but didn't cut it (for me) when used live. The MTD while sounding good at lower volumes just sounds awesome when cranked through a PA. I was reminded of this a couple of days ago when I last gigged with mine [quote name='Josh' post='244702' date='Jul 21 2008, 07:09 PM']I'm so glad I bought this bass!![/quote] well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 [quote name='Gwilym' post='253295' date='Aug 2 2008, 01:36 PM']hi Josh, what I meant was that I don't think it's a "bedroom" bass. In my experience, some gear sounds fanstastic at home, but didn't cut it (for me) when used live. The MTD while sounding good at lower volumes just sounds awesome when cranked through a PA. I was reminded of this a couple of days ago when I last gigged with mine well done [/quote] I understand exactly what you mean about the tone becoming sterile after the string brightness wears away, still sounds amazing though, but a fresh set sounds amazing, and also, it is one of the few basses I've enjoyed playing louder than my normal volume when practicing, its a bass that begs to be played Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlat Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Here's my baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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